2008 YAMAHA WR 250R warning

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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WARNING

EWA11020
Because loading has an enormous
impact on the handling, braking,
performance and safety characteris-
tics of your motorcycle, you should
keep the following precautions in
mind.

NEVER OVERLOAD THE MO-
TORCYCLE! Operation of an
overloaded motorcycle may re-
sult in tire damage, loss of con-
trol, or severe injury. Make sure
that the total weight of rider,passenger, cargo, and accesso-
ries does not exceed the speci-
fied maximum load for the
vehicle.

Do not carry along loosely
packed items, which can shift
during a ride.

Securely pack the heaviest
items close to the center of the
motorcycle and distribute the
weight evenly on both sides.

Adjust the suspension and tire
air pressure with regard to the
load.

Check the tire condition and air
pressure before each ride.Tire inspection
The tires must be checked before each
ride. If the center tread depth reaches
the specified limit, if the tire has a nail or
glass fragments in it, or if the sidewall is
cracked, have a Yamaha dealer re-
place the tire immediately.
NOTE:

The tire tread depth limits may differ
from country to country. Always comply
with the local regulations.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold
tires):
0–90 kg (0–198 lb):
Front:
125 kPa (18 psi) (1.25 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
175 kPa (25 psi) (1.75 kgf/cm
2

)
90–185 kg (198–408 lb):
Front:
150 kPa (22 psi) (1.50 kgf/cm
2

)
Rear:
200 kPa (29 psi) (2.00 kgf/cm
2

)
Maximum load*:
185 kg (408 lb)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, car-
go and accessories
1. Tire sidewall
2. Tire tread depth
Minimum tire tread depth (front and
rear):
1.6 mm (0.06 in)
12

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9Tire information
This motorcycle is equipped with tube
tires.
WARNING

EWA10460

The front and rear tires should
be of the same make and de-
sign, otherwise the handling
characteristics of the vehicle
cannot be guaranteed.

After extensive tests, only the
tires listed below have been ap-
proved for this model by
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
WARNING

EWA10570

Have a Yamaha dealer replace
excessively worn tires. Besidesbeing illegal, operating the mo-
torcycle with excessively worn
tires decreases riding stability
and can lead to loss of control.

The replacement of all wheel-
and brake-related parts, includ-
ing the tires, should be left to a
Yamaha dealer, who has the
necessary professional knowl-
edge and experience.

It is not recommended to patch
a punctured tube. If unavoid-
able, however, patch the tube
very carefully and replace it as
soon as possible with a
high-quality product.
EAU21940
Spoke wheels
To maximize the performance, durabil-
ity, and safe operation of your motorcy-
cle, note the following points regarding
the specified wheels.

The wheel rims should be checked
for cracks, bends or warpage, and
the spokes for looseness or dam-
age before each ride. If any dam-
age is found, have a Yamaha
dealer replace the wheel. Do not
attempt even the smallest repair to
the wheel. A deformed or cracked
wheel must be replaced.

The wheel should be balanced
whenever either the tire or wheel
has been changed or replaced. An
unbalanced wheel can result in
poor performance, adverse han-
dling characteristics, and a short-
ened tire life.

Ride at moderate speeds after
changing a tire since the tire sur-
face must first be “broken in” for it
to develop its optimal characteris-
tics.
Front tire:
Size:
80/100-21M/C 51P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-301 F
Rear tire:
Size:
120/80-18M/C 62P
Manufacturer/model:
BRIDGESTONE/TW-302 F

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU22093
Adjusting the brake lever free
play
The brake lever free play should mea-
sure 5.0–8.0 mm (0.20–0.31 in) as
shown. Periodically check the brake le-
ver free play and, if necessary, adjust it
as follows.
1. Loosen the locknut at the brake le-
ver.
2. To increase the brake lever free
play, turn the brake lever free play
adjusting screw in direction (a). To
decrease the brake lever free play,
turn the adjusting screw in direc-
tion (b).3. Tighten the locknut.
WARNING

EWA10630

After adjusting the brake lever
free play, check the free play
and make sure that the brake is
working properly.

A soft or spongy feeling in the
brake lever can indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic
system. If there is air in the hy-
draulic system, have a Yamaha
dealer bleed the system before
operating the motorcycle. Air in
the hydraulic system will dimin-
ish the braking performance,
which may result in loss of con-
trol and an accident.
EAU22271
Adjusting the rear brake light
switch
The rear brake light switch, which is ac-
tivated by the brake pedal, is properly
adjusted when the brake light comes
on just before braking takes effect. If
necessary, adjust the brake light switch
as follows.
Turn the rear brake light switch adjust-
ing nut while holding the rear brake light
switch in place. To make the brake light
come on earlier, turn the adjusting nut
in direction (a). To make the brake light
come on later, turn the adjusting nut in
direction (b).
1. Locknut
2. Brake lever free play adjusting screw
3. Brake lever free play
3
1
2
(b)
(a)

1. Rear brake light switch
2. Adjusting nut
1
2
(b)
(a)

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU23100
Checking and lubricating the
cables
The operation of all control cables and
the condition of the cables should be
checked before each ride, and the ca-
bles and cable ends should be lubricat-
ed if necessary. If a cable is damaged
or does not move smoothly, have a
Yamaha dealer check or replace it.
WARNING

EWA10720
Damage to the outer sheath may in-
terfere with proper cable operation
and will cause the inner cable to
rust. Replace a damaged cable as
soon as possible to prevent unsafe
conditions.
EAU23111
Checking and lubricating the
throttle grip and cable
The operation of the throttle grip should
be checked before each ride. In addi-
tion, the cable should be lubricated at
the intervals specified in the periodic
maintenance chart.
EAU44271
Checking and lubricating the
brake and shift pedals
The operation of the brake and shift
pedals should be checked before each
ride, and the pedal pivots should be lu-
bricated if necessary.
Recommended lubricant:
Engine oil

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EAU23201
Checking and lubricating the
sidestand
The operation of the sidestand should
be checked before each ride, and the
sidestand pivot and metal-to-metal
contact surfaces should be lubricated if
necessary.
WARNING

EWA10730
If the sidestand does not move up
and down smoothly, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair it.
EAU23250
Lubricating the rear
suspension
The pivoting points of the rear suspen-
sion must be lubricated at the intervals
specified in the periodic maintenance
and lubrication chart.
EAU23271
Checking the front fork
The condition and operation of the front
fork must be checked as follows at the
intervals specified in the periodic main-
tenance and lubrication chart.
To check the condition
WARNING

EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
Check the inner tubes for scratches,
damage and excessive oil leakage.
To check the operation
1. Place the vehicle on a level sur-
face and hold it in an upright posi-
tion.
2. While applying the front brake,
push down hard on the handlebars
several times to check if the front
fork compresses and rebounds
smoothly.

Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease
Recommended lubricant:
Lithium-soap-based grease

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CAUTION:

ECA10590
If any damage is found or the front
fork does not operate smoothly,
have a Yamaha dealer check or re-
pair it.
EAU23280
Checking the steering
Worn or loose steering bearings may
cause danger. Therefore, the operation
of the steering must be checked as fol-
lows at the intervals specified in the pe-
riodic maintenance and lubrication
chart.
1. Place a stand under the engine to
raise the front wheel off the
ground.
WARNING

EWA10750
Securely support the vehicle so that
there is no danger of it falling over.
2. Hold the lower ends of the front
fork legs and try to move them for-
ward and backward. If any free
play can be felt, have a Yamaha
dealer check or repair the steering.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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EAU23290
Checking the wheel bearings
The front and rear wheel bearings must
be checked at the intervals specified in
the periodic maintenance and lubrica-
tion chart. If there is play in the wheel
hub or if the wheel does not turn
smoothly, have a Yamaha dealer check
the wheel bearings.
EAU23390
Battery
The battery is located behind panel D.
(See page 6-6.)
This model is equipped with a
sealed-type (MF) battery, which does
not require any maintenance. There is
no need to check the electrolyte or to
add distilled water.
To charge the battery
Have a Yamaha dealer charge the bat-
tery as soon as possible if it seems to
have discharged. Keep in mind that the
battery tends to discharge more quicklyif the vehicle is equipped with optional
electrical accessories.
WARNING

EWA10760

Electrolyte is poisonous and
dangerous since it contains sul-
furic acid, which causes severe
burns. Avoid any contact with
skin, eyes or clothing and al-
ways shield your eyes when
working near batteries. In case
of contact, administer the fol-
lowing FIRST AID.

EXTERNAL: Flush with plenty
of water.

INTERNAL: Drink large quan-
tities of water or milk and im-
mediately call a physician.

EYES: Flush with water for 15
minutes and seek prompt
medical attention.

Batteries produce explosive hy-
drogen gas. Therefore, keep
sparks, flames, cigarettes, etc.,
away from the battery and pro-
vide sufficient ventilation when
charging it in an enclosed
space.

KEEP THIS AND ALL BATTER-
1. Negative battery terminal
2. Positive battery terminal
3. Battery
3
2
1

PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIR
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3. Unhook the headlight bulb holder,
and then remove the defective
bulb.
WARNING

EWA10790
Headlight bulbs get very hot. There-
fore, keep flammable products away
from a lit headlight bulb, and do not
touch the bulb until it has cooled
down.
4. Place a new headlight bulb into po-
sition, and then secure it with the
bulb holder.
CAUTION:

ECA10660
Do not touch the glass part of the
headlight bulb to keep it free from
oil, otherwise the transparency of
the glass, the luminosity of the bulb,
and the bulb life will be adversely af-fected. Thoroughly clean off any dirt
and fingerprints on the headlight
bulb using a cloth moistened with al-
cohol or thinner.
5. Install the headlight bulb cover,
and then connect the coupler.
6. Install the headlight cowling (to-
gether with the headlight unit) by
placing it in the original position,
and then installing the bolts.
7. Have a Yamaha dealer adjust the
headlight beam if necessary.
1. Headlight coupler
2. Bulb cover
1
2

1. Headlight bulb holder
1

1. Do not touch the glass part of the bulb.